We’re over two weeks into the 2024-25 NBA free agency period, and while there are still a few names floating around on the market, it’s mostly barren. Only small rotational pieces still find themselves without a deal (Minus Tyus Jones), and teams can begin to set their sights on the upcoming season. Thus, it’s time to determine the winners and losers of this year’s free agency period.
Winner: Philadelphia 76ers
As expected, Philadelphia was able to acquire the crown jewel of this year’s free agent class, Paul George. Taking advantage of their massive amount of cap space, the 76ers were able to offer George a 4YR/212 Million dollar deal, one that the Clippers refused to give him.
This was a no-brainer for Philadelphia as they continue to chase after that elusive Eastern Conference Finals appearance. George, a 6x All-NBA selection, will thrive in the space that is created by fellow All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and will immediately become the best “third option” in the NBA.
On paper, this team looks like a real threat to Boston, but there are some real concerns that can’t be overlooked. Both Embiid and George have an extensive history of untimely injuries and disappointing playoff performances, both traits that you don’t exactly want in two-thirds of your All-Star trio. Whether or not they can buck their previous trends will almost certainly decide the fate of this squad.
The 76ers were able to do some nice work filling out the rest of the roster as they added Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, and Eric Gordon, alongside rookie Jared McCain. They said goodbye to a strong majority of their rotation from last season (Harris, Melton, Hield, Reed, Batum, Payne), but are clearly opting for star power instead of depth, a risk that is worth taking.
Winner: Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks front office didn’t have the most glamorous offseason, but it was certainly one of the most effective. Despite their inability to make any splash moves due to financial concerns and restrictions, Milwaukee was able to cobble together a solid free agent class that will quietly improve this team.
The Bucks added Gary Trent. Jr, Delon Wright, and Taurean Prince, all on veteran minimum level contracts ($3M or less). All three are proven rotation players who will bolster Milwaukee’s bench while addressing some key concerns from last season. Delon Wright and Taurean Prince provide the Bucks with better point-of-attack perimeter defense, while Gary Trent Jr. will bring his elite three-point shooting and young legs with him to Milwaukee.
The Bucks lost Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, and Jae Crowder to free agency, but if you’re comparing their additions to their losses, they definitely came out ahead. Props to the front office for making the most out of a rather bleak situation.
Loser: Denver Nuggets
This year’s offseason has been eerily similar to the last in Denver, except this time they aren’t coming off a dominant championship run. Once again, the Nuggets have lost a key rotation player to free agency. Last year it was Bruce Brown, this year it’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope put Denver in another situation where they weren’t quite comfortable spending a ton of money on their ~fifth~ best player, resulting in him signing a 3-Year/$66 Million deal with the Magic.
KCP was the ultimate glue guy and a key member of the best five-man unit in the association over the past two seasons. The Nuggets will miss the spot-up shooting, point-of-attack wing defense, and overall reliability of Caldwell-Pope.
But, more importantly, Denver’s depth has taken yet another hit, and they will once again rely heavily on the internal improvement of guys like Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Julian Strawther. Denver also dumped Reggie Jackson and his $5.25 million salary, but effectively replaced him with Dario Saric for the same price. While the Nuggets will still be in the thick of the Western Conference race, I’d be surprised if they didn’t take a step back.
Loser: Los Angeles Clippers
There aren’t going to be very many good vibes going around the Clippers practice facility this summer. After yet another early playoff exit, the Paul George/Kawhi Leonard era has officially come to an end, in a bit of a weird way. The Clippers had a chance to bring George back on a 4-year max deal, but refused to give him the fourth year, citing second-apron concerns in a press release relating to the deal.
While second-apron concerns are extremely valid in this new era of the NBA, it felt like George and the Clippers could have gotten a deal done if the Clippers front office really wanted to. Instead, their reluctance to give George a fourth year felt like a concession that this group’s time was over, and that they were ready to move on. Regardless of the lack of playoff success the George/Leonard tandem brought to the franchise, it’s always going to sting when you lose an All-Star level player and get nothing in return.
The departure of George leaves LA in a tough spot, even if they were able to add some nice pieces in free agency. Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, Kevin Porter Jr., and Mo Bamba will join the Clippers in hopes of reviving a franchise that seems dead in the water at this point. They are plenty good enough to compete for a playoff spot, but have no real path to Western Conference contention outside of Kawhi Leonard staying healthy and turning into Superman for two months, which both seem unlikely.
Winner: Golden State Warriors
While Klay Thompson’s abrupt exit has captured most of the headlines around the Warriors this offseason, they have quietly put together a really nice summer in free agency. The loss of Thompson will be significant, and while it might affect this group psychologically more than physically, he will be missed on the court. However, Golden State’s recent acquisitions will put them in position to be better than last year, and insert them back in the “one piece away” tier of contenders.
Buddy Hield, DeAnthony Melton, and Kyle Anderson will join the Warriors, bringing with them a treasure trove of skills and plenty of experience. Hield, who has arguably been the third best pure shooter in the NBA over the last six years, will do his best to replace Thompson’s formidable perimeter shooting, while Melton and Anderson will use their diverse skillsets to fit seamlessly into the Warriors’ system.
I think the Warriors got marginally better over the past few weeks, but more importantly, are now in position to take a swing at another star like Lauri Markkanen. They have plenty of depth, tradeable contracts, and young talent that could entice Utah to part ways with their star.
